The Latest: Malaysia ex-PM's wife charged in 1MDB case

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Najib arrives in court for the management of his corruption trial involving the 1mdb state investment fund. His wife Rosmah Mansor will be charged Thursday in a separate court for money laundering linked to the 1MDB scandal. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Najib arrived in court for the management of his corruption trial involving the 1mdb state investment fund. His wife Rosmah Mansor will be charged Thursday in a separate court for money laundering linked to the 1MDB scandal. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, front right, waves as he arrives at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Najib arrived in court for the management of his corruption trial involving the 1mdb state investment fund. His wife Rosmah Mansor will be charged Thursday in a separate court for money laundering linked to the 1MDB scandal. (AP Photo/Yam G-Jun)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, walks out of courtroom at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Najib arrived in court for the management of his corruption trial involving the 1mdb state investment fund. His wife Rosmah Mansor will be charged Thursday in a separate court for money laundering linked to the 1MDB scandal. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

The wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najjib Razak has pleaded not guilty to laundering illegal proceeds from the scandal at the 1MDB state investment fund.

Rosmah Mansor was charged with 17 counts of money laundering and claimed trial Thursday, five months after her husband's shocking electoral loss due to public outrage at the scandal.

Rosmah was arrested by the anti-graft agency at its office Wednesday after being questioned a third time over alleged theft and money laundering at the fund.

She has smiled and waved at reporters as she was escorted into court but said little. In a biography in 2013, Rosmah said it was common for a prime minister's wife to receive expensive jewelry and gifts. She also said she had earned money from an album that wasn't released to the public but was bought by government ministers who were fans of her singing talent.

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The detained wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najjib Razak has arrived in court where she will face money laundering charges in a graft scandal at the 1MDB state investment fund.

Rosmah Mansor was detained by the anti-graft agency Wednesday after it questioned her a third time over alleged theft and money laundering at the fund.

Rosmah smiled and waved at reporters Thursday as she was escorted into the court building. The anti-graft agency has said she will face several for charges under the anti-money laundering act.

Najib also appeared at the court building Thursday for the management of his own corruption trial over the 1MDB scandal. He has pleaded not guilty and accused the government of seeking political vengeance. He faces trial next year.